India Played Quiet But Important Role In Chagos Islands Resolution: Sources

India has played a quiet but important background role in UK’s move hand over sovereignty of  Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Sources said India had firmly and consistently supported the need to do away with the last vestiges of colonisation”. 

New Delhi’s role had got a mention in the joint statement of the UK and Mauritius.  

“In reaching today’s political agreement, we have enjoyed the full support and assistance of our close partners, the United States of America and the Republic of India,” the joint statement read. 

India, sources said, consistently encouraged both sides to negotiate — “with an open mind and a view to achieving mutually beneficial outcomes”. 

It is believed that the final outcome “is a win for all sides involved and will reinforce long term security in the Indian Ocean region,” sources said. 

In its message welcoming the agreement, New Delhi said, “India has consistently supported Mauritius’s claim for sovereignty over Chagos, in line with its principled stand on decolonization and support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, as well as its longstanding and close partnership with Mauritius’.